My Birth Control Failed: What Do I Do?
No method of birth control or contraception can completely prevent pregnancy. If you’re seeing a positive result on your at-home pregnancy test, then it’s clear your birth control failed.
While this can be extremely nerve-racking, know that you are not alone. Many women find themselves experiencing an unexpected pregnancy and visit First Care for support.
Here are some next steps to take after discovering you are pregnant despite using birth control.
1. Confirm Your Pregnancy
A positive pregnancy test doesn’t tell the full story. It’s possible to have a positive test and then learn that there are complications with your pregnancy. Only an ultrasound scan can confirm the viability and location of your pregnancy.
About 10-20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. Miscarriage occurs when the pregnancy ends on its own before the 20th week of pregnancy.
About 2% of pregnancies are ectopic, which happens when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube. This type of pregnancy is non-viable, meaning it cannot be carried to term and survive. It can also be potentially life-threatening.
An ultrasound scan can screen for either of these complications by detecting a heartbeat and verifying the location of your pregnancy. It’s critical to receive an ultrasound, no matter the options you are considering, so that you can be informed and protect your health.
2. Learn Your Gestational Age
An ultrasound can also tell you how far along you are, which is important for all three of your options: parenting, adoption, and abortion.
For parenting and adoption, you will learn your probable due date, allowing you to plan ahead.
If you’re considering an abortion, knowing the pregnancy’s gestational age will determine your available abortion options. The abortion pill is only FDA-approved for use within the first ten weeks of pregnancy. After that, you would have to opt for another type of abortion.
3. Weigh Your Options
Once you have confirmed your pregnancy’s viability, location, and gestational age, you can start weighing and assessing your options. You might not know what to do at first, but looking into each option can bring clarity.
Ask yourself questions like “Could I see myself choosing this option?” or “What would my future look like if I picked this?”
Then, take stock of your resources. If you are considering parenting but feel it’s too difficult or expensive, many organizations like ours are ready to provide support, classes, and supplies.
Choose for yourself. The decision will impact you more than anyone else.
Start with First Care
First Care offers 100% free and confidential pregnancy services, including lab-quality pregnancy testing and ultrasounds. We are here to support you as you consider what to do next.
Learn MoreWhat Do I Need to Know if I Am Pregnant in High School?
You might have imagined Friday night football games, learning to drive, and attending prom during high school, but not pregnancy.
If you’re in high school and recently found out that you’re pregnant, we are here to support you. We know that this can be a shocking and stressful situation. Scheduling an appointment at First Care can be a great first step as you will have a safe space to discuss all your options with our licensed, compassionate staff members.
As you process, here are a few things to keep in mind if you are pregnant as a high schooler.
You Have Rights
You may wonder what continuing your high school classes and activities could look like.
Under Title IX, you receive protection from any discrimination based on pregnancy or parenting in educational programs or activities. Any school — public or private — that receives federal funds must comply.
This protection means you can continue with your school year and any programs you participate in. Here are a few things your school must do:
- Allow you to continue participating in classes and extracurricular activities
- Provide you with reasonable adjustments, such as a larger desk or more frequent trips to the restroom
- Excuse absences for pregnancy or childbirth for as long as a doctor says is necessary
- Allow you to return to the same academic and extracurricular status
- Protect you from harassment
2. Your Future Extends Beyond High School
While it’s incredibly overwhelming to face an unexpected pregnancy, especially in high school, it’s critical to think beyond your high school years.
Your decision will change your life. You must make a choice you feel comfortable having as part of your story.
If you’re concerned about what others might think of you or your reputation, remember that you may not see many of your classmates in a few years. They may move, attend different colleges, or start full-time jobs. Those you stay in touch with will be the ones you consider your closest friends.
Don’t let others or fear decide what is next for you. Make your next choices based on what you want for your future.
3. You Have Three Choices
You have three choices: parenting, abortion, and adoption. While your parents or partner may have opinions or try to pressure you, remember that the decision is ultimately yours.
We can provide you with accurate information on all three of these options and resources. You deserve to make an informed and empowered choice.
Visit First Care for Pregnancy Confirmation
If you’ve only had a positive pregnancy test, it’s time for a free ultrasound.
An ultrasound aims to confirm the viability of your pregnancy, get an accurate gestational age (based on fetal measurements), and look at the placement of the pregnancy. During this appointment, you will be supplied with important information regarding your health and pregnancy options. Schedule an appointment today!
Learn MoreWhat Are the Early Pregnancy Symptoms?
The time between when you had sex and your expected period can feel like forever when you’re waiting to find out if you’re pregnant.
Most at-home pregnancy tests instruct you to wait until close to or after your missed period to get an accurate result. During that waiting time, you may experience signs and symptoms that make you suspect you’re pregnant.
Here are a few early pregnancy signs and symptoms you could experience.
1. Nausea with or without Vomiting
Have you been feeling nauseous? Commonly known as “morning sickness,” pregnancy nausea can happen at any time of day or night. While the cause isn’t fully known, it’s likely due to hormonal changes during pregnancy.
2.Tender, Swollen Breasts
If your breasts feel tender to touch, sore, or swollen, this could be an early pregnancy symptom. However, it can be similar to how your breasts can feel before a monthly period.
One difference during pregnancy is that your areolas (the area around your nipples) can darken and enlarge. If you notice this change, it could be a sign of pregnancy.
3.Fatigue
Do you feel sleepy, tired, or want to nap? Fatigue is a common early pregnancy symptom likely caused by high levels of the hormone progesterone. If you feel like you just can’t rest enough and you have lower-than-normal energy levels, it could be pregnancy.
4.Frequent Urination
Maybe you used to go hours without using the restroom, and now you have to look for one whenever you leave the house.
When pregnant, the body’s blood supply increases, causing the kidneys to process more fluid. The kidneys filtering more blood means extra fluid will end up in the bladder, leading to more frequent urges to urinate.
5.Missed Period
A missed period is one of the most obvious signs that you could be pregnant. However, women with irregular periods may not notice right away.
When you become pregnant, your body releases hormones to stop ovulation and menstruation. This means that you will not have a period until after pregnancy.
Are You Ready for Pregnancy Testing?
If you’ve missed your period, it’s time to take a pregnancy test.
Visit First Care for free lab-quality pregnancy testing. If your pregnancy test result is positive, we can schedule a free ultrasound scan to provide more information regarding your pregnancy as you navigate your next steps.
Schedule a confidential appointment at one of our five locations today!
Learn MoreI’m Pregnant, and My Partner Is Abusive
If you are pregnant and feel powerless to escape your abusive relationship, you are not alone. You deserve to feel respected and safe in your relationships, and we are here to support you as you navigate this challenging situation.
If you require immediate assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at (800) 799-7233, or call 911.
At First Care, we help provide emotional support and practical resources as you navigate your pregnancy, regardless of your situation. You are not stuck or alone. A life of freedom and hope is possible.
Find A Place Safe
If your partner has shown any signs of behaving aggressively or physically hurting you, it’s important to find a safe place as soon as possible. Even if there hasn’t been any actual violence, if your partner’s behavior is unpredictable or getting worse, it’s crucial to relocate to somewhere that you can be safe. Some options include:
- Staying with a friend or family member
- Contacting a local church for assistance
- A local women’s shelter
- Staying at a hotel or another short-term rental while you create a plan
Consider Whether to Contact Law Enforcement
If you are facing physical abuse and are in immediate danger, it’s highly important that you seek help from the police right away. Physical abuse is a crime, and the police can assist in ensuring your safety.
While it’s understandable that you may not feel comfortable discussing your experience, especially if the assault happened recently, it’s essential to report the abuse so that you can be safe.
Seek Healing and Make a Plan
If you are living with an abusive partner, it doesn’t have to stay that way. You deserve a whole, fulfilling life free from fear. Acknowledging that fact alone is the first step towards freedom.
At First Care, we’re here for you. We can connect you to local resources to help support you during your pregnancy and beyond.
Contact us today to make an appointment!
Learn MoreHow Do I Tell My Parents I’m Pregnant?
No matter your age, it can be daunting to share the news about an unplanned pregnancy with your parents. Because there’s no way to be 100% sure what their reaction will be, it can be difficult to prepare for such an unpredictable conversation.
However, there are steps that you can take to prepare yourself with information and resources so that you can share the news with confidence.
You can read further for practical steps about how to deliver the news of your pregnancy to your parents.
Confirm Your Pregnancy
Before you tell them, you’ll want to be positive that you are in fact pregnant. At a minimum, avoid relying on common symptoms by taking an at-home pregnancy test at least one day after your first missed period.
At First Care, we offer free lab-quality pregnancy testing that can be accurate as early as three weeks after the first day of your last period.
Prepare Yourself
After receiving a positive pregnancy test, it’s crucial to allow yourself time to process the news and come to terms with it. Remember, you are not obligated to share this information right away with anyone else.
If you have someone besides your parents whom you can trust, it may be helpful to reach out to them first to have someone to talk to and to process the news with.
Try to think ahead of questions they might ask, such as the pregnancy’s gestational age and viability, or more logistical questions, such as which pregnancy path you would like to choose.
Consider utilizing First Care’s options counseling sessions, which provide an opportunity to educate yourself on all possible pregnancy outcomes, or to process any barriers that you may be facing in the midst of your pregnancy.
Remember to be kind and compassionate towards yourself, treating yourself with the same grace and patience you would extend to a friend facing a similar situation.
Next Steps
At First Care, we provide free, confidential services such as options counseling, pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and parenting support through our Every Family program.
During an ultrasound, we can help you gather important details like the pregnancy’s gestational age, location, and viability.
During an options counseling appointment, you can ask questions and discuss the options you are interested in exploring before you choose to deliver the news to your parents.
We can ensure you are equipped with the right information to confidently share the news with your parents. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Learn MoreWhat Can I Do if My Partner Doesn’t Support My Pregnancy?
You’re the only one who can decide what’s best for you and your pregnancy. Legally, only you can choose what to do with your pregnancy, meaning that it is illegal for anyone to coerce you into having an abortion.
If you’re feeling pressured by your partner to make a decision that you are not comfortable with, it’s important to reach out for help. Organizations like First Care can provide both practical and emotional support.
When meeting with one of our trained client care staff, you can ask questions, explore your options, and learn which local resources are available to you.
If your partner is emotionally absent or is attempting to pressure you into having an abortion, you can read this article for practical tips regarding how to move forward.
Be Informed
When facing a lack of support or opposition from your partner related to your pregnancy decision, it’s essential to be informed while making your decision. When you gather information from reliable sources that have your best interest in mind, you can be confident that you have all you need to make an educated decision.
Parenting
If you wish to continue with your pregnancy, the choice to parent your child is always available to you. Embracing parenthood in the face of an unplanned pregnancy has been found to be a fulfilling and rewarding path for many women.
While managing obligations like school or tight finances, you may feel unprepared or overwhelmed by the idea of parenting. The good news is that there are many resources for single parents balancing finances or their education with their new role.
At First Care, we’re dedicated to helping you feel confident in your decision. Our assistance extends beyond your pregnancy by providing ongoing support well into your parenting journey. If you choose parenting, we can connect you with valuable community resources as you prepare for birth, as well as material support and parenting classes through our Every Family program.
Adoption
Did you know that adoption can look many different ways between families? Depending on your level of comfort, you can make an adoption plan that discloses as much or as little information about you to the adoptive family as you’d like.
Most adoptions in the US are considered “open adoptions”, meaning that there is ongoing contact between the birth mother and the adoptive family. Many women enjoy maintaining relationships with their children through visits, pictures, or letters, but you get to decide what an adoption plan would look like for you and your child.
Abortion
An abortion requires terminating your pregnancy. If your partner is pressuring you to have an abortion, he may not have a clear understanding of all the available choices.
When considering your options, evaluating the immediate medical effects and potential long-term impact on your mental well-being is important.
While you don’t have to explain yourself to your partner, knowing the complete physical and emotional impacts of an abortion will help you if you are having an ongoing discussion about your options.
You’re Not Alone
Dealing with an unexpected pregnancy without your partner’s support can feel lonely and overwhelming, but you are not alone!
At First Care, we provide emotional support and free practical resources such as lab-quality pregnancy tests, STI testing, and ultrasounds.
Depending on your decision, we can also connect you to parenting and adoption resources. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost appointment where you can get the information you need. You deserve to feel supported!
Learn MoreI Don’t Want to Be Pregnant. Is Abortion My Only Option?
Unplanned pregnancies bring many questions and new circumstances that can be overwhelming. If you are unsure if abortion is the best choice, the other options are adoption and parenting.
Parenting involves raising your child yourself, while adoption allows you to place your child in a family that can provide a loving and stable environment.
Both options have their rewards and challenges, and it is essential to carefully consider the opportunities or disadvantages of each before making a decision.
Parenting
You may have quickly ruled out parenting as a choice for you but you owe it to yourself to evaluate parenting as rigorously as any other option. Some questions to consider are:
- Who is my support system?
- How would this affect my short and long-term career and education goals?
- Is my partner someone I could respectfully co-parent with?
- What would childcare look like?
The good news is that you don’t have to figure these answers out alone. Many couples who are trying to get pregnant suddenly feel ill-equipped when they find they are expecting!
At First Care, we are here to walk beside you and help find and provide support and resources to equip you to make the best pregnancy decision.
Adoption
One of the best things about making an adoption plan is that you have complete control over the details. Whether you continue to have a relationship with the child and their adoptive family or you want your information kept completely confidential, it’s 100% up to you.
The information below summarizes the typical adoption methods:
- Open Adoption– You have a relationship with the child and adoptive family. This makes up the majority of adoptions.
- Closed Adoption– You do not have a relationship with the child or adoptive family, and details about you cannot be disclosed.
- Semi-Open Adoption– You communicate through the adoption agency of your choice to exchange non-identifying information with the adoptive parents.
The majority of adoptions are open because most women want to keep some sort of relationship with their child, but it’s important that you only do what’s best for you.
Schedule an Appointment
Now that you have a better idea of your options, you may still have questions. We hope you do because that is what we are here for! We recommend that you schedule a no-cost options consultation with us so that you can process, ask questions, and learn what local resources are available for each option.
We are here to walk beside you and provide answers and support. Contact us today to schedule a free and confidential appointment!
Learn MoreWhat Is the Difference Between a Blood and Urine Pregnancy Test?
Are you experiencing a missed period, nausea, frequent urination, or moodiness? These are common symptoms that may point to pregnancy. Maybe you’re wondering what kind of pregnancy test to take. The main difference between a blood and urine pregnancy test is how they are done and where. Keep reading to learn more.
Different Types of Pregnancy Tests
There are two main types of pregnancy tests: urine pregnancy tests and blood pregnancy tests.
A urine test is taken at home and followed up with a medical professional while a medical center performs blood pregnancy tests.
Urine Pregnancy Tests
You may have already taken an at-home urine pregnancy test. This is the most common type, which measures hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your urine. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should take an at-home test at least one week after your missed period for the most accurate results.
At-home urine pregnancy tests are 99% effective and are very easy to use. When taking a urine test, you will place a couple of drops on a strip or place the strip in the urine stream. Then you will wait a couple of minutes, up to 10 minutes, for the results depending on the type of test.
Blood Pregnancy Tests
Though blood pregnancy tests are rare, they are done on special occasions for women facing infertility or when a medical professional suspects any possible health or pregnancy issues. A medical professional may also use a blood test to compare hCG levels during pregnancy.
Blood tests are more sensitive than urine tests due to their ability to detect smaller amounts of hCG. They can show you a more accurate answer earlier on in pregnancy.
A blood test will require a blood sample to be sent to a lab for analysis. As a result, you may not have the results for more than a day.
If Your Pregnancy Test is Positive
If your at-home pregnancy test was positive and you’re wondering what’s next, see us today at First Care.
Once you receive a positive pregnancy test at our center, an ultrasound is necessary to understand your options moving forward. An ultrasound will give you more pregnancy details and alert you to any possible complications.
Schedule a free and confidential appointment with us. Same-day appointments are available. We are here for you!
Learn MoreHow Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
Still wondering if you really are pregnant? Maybe you’re second-guessing how you took a pregnancy test or wondering if you need to take another one.
In this blog, we want to share all about how pregnancy tests work and why receiving a lab-quality pregnancy test at your local pregnancy center is a good idea for pregnancy confirmation.
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
Pregnancy tests are very simple to take. They indicate if you’re pregnant by determining the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your body. HCG is only present when you’re pregnant, so it’s called the pregnancy hormone.
Some pregnancy tests might go about testing through urine, while others look for the pregnancy hormone in your blood. More commonly, a simple urine pregnancy test is done.
The best way to get accurate pregnancy test results is by waiting at least one day after your missed period. Waiting a bit after your missed period allows your body to produce a detectable amount of hCG.
Confirm Your Pregnancy Test Result
If you received a positive home pregnancy test result – that is a great first step. Your next best step is to receive a lab-quality pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy.
Though home pregnancy tests are very accurate, there is always a chance for inaccurate results. You could have possibly taken the test at the wrong time or accidentally followed the directions incorrectly. Get clarity today with a follow-up lab-quality pregnancy test to be sure.
Free Pregnancy Tests & Ultrasound
First Care provides free and confidential, lab-quality urine-based pregnancy testing and ultrasounds to confirm your pregnancy.
If you receive a positive pregnancy test result at our center, we can provide you with an ultrasound. An ultrasound will verify if you have a viable pregnancy, how far along you are, and the location of your pregnancy.
Our medical team is here for you and can walk you through all your pregnancy options. Schedule a free appointment today. Same-day appointments are available.
You are not alone!
Learn MoreWhen Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?
If you have recently had unprotected sex and are experiencing a missed period, then probably the first concern is that you’re pregnant. However, there is a bit of calculation involved to help you determine when the pregnancy test is likely to be more accurate (you can test too early). It’s best to wait a week after your missed period.
How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?
After the egg is fertilized, it then travels into the uterus where it implants itself. At this stage of the pregnancy, small amounts of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone found only in pregnant women, begin to appear in your blood and urine.
It is this hormone that pregnancy tests are designed to detect, although some women experience this during their period.
Blood vs. Urine Pregnancy Tests
Urine Tests
Urine pregnancy tests are the most commonly used type of pregnancy test. Some urine tests can detect hCG as early as a week after a missed period. When the pregnancy is very early, many women like to use an at-home urine pregnancy test before scheduling one with their doctor. When used correctly, some tests boast up to 99% accuracy.
Blood Tests
While blood pregnancy tests are used at a doctor’s office, they do offer insights that urine pregnancy tests cannot offer, such as whether or not it is an ectopic pregnancy (located outside the womb). They can also detect pregnancy earlier than a urine test (6-8 days after ovulation).
Confirming Your Pregnancy
At First Care , we offer no-cost pregnancy tests as well as a no-cost ultrasound if you’re already taken a verified positive pregnancy test. Ultrasound confirms the stage of your pregnancy as well as alerts you to any possible risks or complications (like ectopic pregnancy). Schedule one today and we will be glad to help offer support and answer any questions you have about this process!
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